BGEA: I had a lot of stress in my life, and instead of turning to God I turned to alcohol. I wonder if I've become an alcoholic. Can God help me out of this pit?

I had a lot of stress in my life several years ago, and instead of turning to God I turned to alcohol. Now I wonder if I've become an alcoholic, because I'm not sure I can stop. Can God help me get out of this pit? I wish I'd never gone down this road. — N.O'D.

I don't think I've ever met an alcoholic who was glad he or she had gone down that road—and I can understand why. Alcoholism is a destroyer—of health, self esteem, work, relationships, everything. The Bible says, "In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper" (Proverbs 23:32).

That's why I'm thankful you are facing the fact you have a problem, and you want to overcome it. Tragically, many who become slaves to alcohol never reach this point; they deny they have a problem, or don't do anything about it. When that's the case, others may have to intervene and insist they get help.

Yes, God can help you get out of this pit (as you rightly call it)—and He wants to help you, because He loves you and doesn't want you to wreck your life. He loves you so much that Christ was willing to die for you, so you could be forgiven of your sins and experience His presence. Begin a new life with Him by asking Jesus Christ to come into your heart today.

Then ask God to lead you to others who can help you. Your pastor or doctor will know what programs or facilities are available in your community. Don't let pride or anything else stop you, but trust God to surround you with His love and strength. The psalmist's experience can be yours: "He lifted me out of the slimy pit ... he set my feet on a rock" (Psalm 40:2).

1 Comments

Shelia says 8.18.2010, 11:44 a.m.

We often speak of alcoholics, but should a Christian walking in the Spirit drink at all? My preacher won't address this and my fellow Christians are divided on this subject. My grandfather shot himself and died while in a drunken stupor while he was on the phone with my mother. I was about 7 or 8 years of age and can remember that day as if it were yesterday. You hear little on this subject from the pulpit and when you do, it seems the message is , "It is all relative. If you can drink and feel ok with it, then it is ok for you. If you feel it is not ok and you do it, then it is a sin. After all, the Bible says, "Be sober..."

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